Wiki Category: Asuka Period

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: – Family: Nakatomi no Kamatari (Father) Fujiwara no Fubito (brother) Fujiwara no Higami no Iratsume (sister) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Ioe no Iratsume Fujiwara no Ioe no Iratsume (藤原 五百重娘) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan and the daughter of Nakatomi no Kamatari.1 Footnotes 1. Kodansha.[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: – Family: Nakatomi no Kamatari (Father) Fujiwara no Fubito (brother) Fujiwara no Ioe no Iratsume (Sister) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Higami no Iratsume Fujiwara no Higami no Iratsume (藤原 氷上娘) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan and the daughter of Nakatomi no Kamatari.1 Footnotes[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Head of the National Shrines of Ise. Family: Nakatomi no Kamatari Birth: – Death: 711AD Nakatomi no Omimaro Nakatomi no Omimaro (中臣 意美麻呂) was a member of the Nakatomi Clan and nephew to Nakatomi no Kamatari. He died in 711AD. When his uncle founded the Fujiwara Clan,[...]

Period: Asuka Period, Nara Period Occupation: Scholar, udajin Family: – Birth: 695AD Death:775AD Kibi no Makibi Kibi no Makibi (吉備 朝臣 真備) was a scholar, born into a powerful family in the Kibi Region, who lived from 695-775AD. In his lifetime he was well versed in confucian classics, as well[...]

Period: Asuka Period, Nara Period Occupation: Poet Family: – Birth: 698AD1 701AD3 Death:770AD Abe no Nakamaro Abe no Nakamaro (阿倍 仲麻呂) was a member of the Abe Clan living from 698-770AD.1 He is known to have been born in Abe, Nara Prefecture.2 During his lifetime he was both a poet[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: General, Governor Family: – Birth: c.575AD Death: 664AD Abe no Hirafu Abe no Hirafu (阿倍 比羅夫) was a member of the Abe Clan who lived during the mid 7th century.1 Louis Frederick gives the period of his life from c.575-664.2 For a part of his life he was[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: sadaijin Family: – Birth: – Death:- Abe no Kurahashimaro Abe no Kurahashimaro was a member of the Abe Clan known to have been posted as sadaijin in 645. It is probable that he was one of the promoters of the Taika Reforms.1 Footnotes 1. Louis Frederic,[...]

Period: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: shikibu-kyō Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Fujiwara no Momokawa (son) Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (son) Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (son) Fujiwara no Kiyonari (son) Fujiwara no Kurajimaro (son) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Fujiwara[...]

Period: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: Minister. Statesman Family: Fujiwara no Muchimaro (father) Fujiwara no Nakamaro (brother) Fujiwara no Otomaro (brother) Fujiwara no Kosemaro (brother) Fujiwara no Sadatsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Tsuginawa (son) Chūjō-hime (daughter) Birth: 704AD Death: 765AD Fujiwara no Toyonari Fujiwara no Toyonari (藤原 豊成) was a member of the[...]

Period: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: Udajin, Sadaijin Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no Maro (brother) Fujiwara no Toyonari (son) Fujiwara no Nakamaro (son) Fujiwara no Otomaro (son) Fujiwara no Kosemaro (son)[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Retainer in the Office of Crown Lands Family: Haji Clan Birth: Death: 711AD Haji no Umate Haji no Umate (馬手) was a member of the Haji Clan known to have fought in the Jinshin War during his lifetime. When the future Emperor Tenmu left to become[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Family: Haji Clan Birth: Death: Haji no Oi Haji no Oi (土師 甥) was a member of the Haji Clan known to have helped in the compiliation of the Taiho Codes. He also spent time in China as a student and served as the head of[...]

Period: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Fujiwara no Nagate (son) Fujiwara no Matate (son) Fujiwara no Kiyokawa (son) Fujiwara no Torikai (son) Fujiwara no Uona (son) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°00′48″N 135°51′10″E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Osaka Prefecture Founded: 593AD Affiliation: Buddhism Shitennō-ji Shitennō-ji (四天王寺) is a Buddhist Temple said to have been constrcuted by Shōtoku Taisha in thanks to the ‘four heavenly kings’ he believed who had helped him win against the Mononobe Clan. This temple is the oldest[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Religious Founder Family: Birth: 634? Death: 701? En no Ozunu En no Ozunu (役小角) lived during the Asuka Period, perhaps from 634-701AD. He was born with the name Kamo-no-e-no-kimi, but over his life he gathered many others such as En no Gyōja (役行者 En the pilgrim), Jinben[...]

See also: List of Provinces Koshi Province Koshi Province (越国) was an old Province of Japan. It is said the inhabitants of this area were of foreign origins, from Manchuria and Korea. These people were known as Koshi-bito.1 Mythical Associations The area known as the Tsutsu Cape located here is[...]

See also: List of Provinces Yamashiro Province Yamashiro Province (山城国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Kyoto Prefecture.1 The Shinsen Shōjiroku shows the Haji Clan dwelt in this province amongst others.3 Inception One of the 5 central (kinai) provinces, established under the Kokugun System in 646AD,[...]

Co-ordinates: : 32°58′N 129°48′E Island: Kyushu Region: Kyushu Region Capital: Nagasaki See also: Iki Province, Tsushima Province, Hizen Province. See also: List of Prefectures. Nagasaki Prefecture Nagasaki Prefecture (長崎県 – Nagasaki-ken) is located on the island of Kyushu. It is bordered by the Genkai Sea and Tsushima Strait on its northern edge, by Saga[...]

Co-ordinates: 36°43′N 137°9′E Island: Honshu Region: Chūbu Capital: Toyama See also: Etchū Province. See also: List of Prefectures. Toyama Prefecture Toyama Prefecture (富山県 – Toyama-ken) is located in central Honshu, with its capital city being Toyama. It is bordered on the north by the Sea of Japan, Nagano and Niigata Prefectures on[...]

Nutari no Ki Nutari no Ki (渟足柵) was a type of Saku (fortified frontier) erected in 647AD in the old Province of Echigo, close to the city of Niigata. It’s construction was carried out to serve as an outpost for the military to continue campaigns against the Ezo People of[...]

Iwafune no Ki Iwafune no Ki (磐舟柵) also known as Iwafune no Saku was a type of ‘Saku‘ (fortified frontier) in the old Province of Echigo, modern day Niigata Prefecture, close to the city of Murakami. It was established in 648AD as part of a campaign against the Ezo tribes in[...]

Kyūji The Kyūji (旧辞) is an ancient piece of Japanese literature which was compiled during the 6th century AD. It was known to have contained collections of both myths and legends surrounding Japan. However, this work no longer exists. It is thought that this document, alongside the Teiki to have[...]

Privy Seal The Privy Seal (天皇御璽) is one of the official seals of the Imperial Family and has ‘Tenno Gyoji‘ carved onto it. The seal is used for documents such as the following: Sentences of law. Cabinet orders. Letters to authorize foreign consuls and several other type of documents. Dismissal[...]

Asuka no Kyomihara Ritsuryō The Asuka no Kyomihara Ritsuryō are a collection of Law Codes created through an edict by Emperor Tenmu in 681AD. They were eventually finished under the rule of Empress Jitō.1 Footnotes 1. Tsurumi, P. (1981) “Early Female Emperors” Historical Reflections Vol.8 No.1 pp.41-49.[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Prince Family: Emperor Tenmu (father) Birth: – Death:- Prince Ōtsu Prince Ōtsu (大津皇子) was a Prince. He was disposed of by Empress Jitō as she considered him an obstacle in the ascension of her son Prince Kusakabe.1 Footnotes 1. Tsurumi, P. (1981) “Early Female Emperors” Historical[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no Maro (brother) Birth: – Death:- Fujiwara no Miyako Fujiwara no Miyako  (藤原宮子) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan and daughter of Fujiwara[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Dainagon, Udajin Family: Nakatomi no Kamatari (father) Fujiwara no Higami no Iratsume (sister) Fujiwara no Ioe no Iratsume (sister) Fujiwara no Miyako (daughter) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (daughter) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (son) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (son) Fujiwara no Umakai (son) Fujiwara no Maro (son) Birth: 659AD Death:[...]

Reign: 707-715AD Born: 661AD Died: 721AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Monmu (son) Prince Kusakabe (husband) Empress Jitō (half-sister) Emperor Tenji (father) Empress Genshō (daughter) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Monmu * Successor Empress Genshō Empress Genmei Empress Genmei (元明 天皇) was the 43rd Emperor of Japan. Known before her ascension to the throne as Princess Abe.1[...]

Reign: 697-707AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Prince Kusakabe (father) Empress Genmei (mother) Empress Jitō (grandmother) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Empress Jitō * Successor Empress Genmei Emperor Monmu Emperor Monmu (文武天皇) was the 42nd Emperor of Japan. He was the son of Prince Kusakabe and Empress Genmei, and he was father[...]

Reign: 690-697AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Tenmu (husband) Prince Kusakabe (son) Empress Genmei (half-sister) Emperor Monmu (grand-son) Emperor Tenji (father) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Tenmu * Successor Emperor Monmu Empress Jitō Empress Jitō (持統天皇) was the 41st Emperor of Japan, living from 645-702, and ruling[...]

Reign: 673-686AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Empress Kōgyoku (mother) Empress Jitō (wife) Emperor Tenji (brother) Prince Kusakabe (son) Emperor Kōbun (nephew) Prince Ōtsu (son) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Kōbun * Successor Empress Jitō Emperor Tenmu Emperor Tenmu (天武天皇) (Prince Oama7) was the 40th Emperor of Japan reigning[...]

Reign: 672AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Tenji (father) Emperor Tenmu (uncle) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Tenji * Successor Emperor Tenmu Emperor Kōbun Emperor Kōbun (弘文天皇) (Prince Otomo2) was the 39th Emperor of Japan who ruled in 672AD. His father was the Emperor Tenji and was[...]

Reign: 661-672AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Kōgyoku (mother) Emperor Kōtoku (uncle) Emperor Kōbun (son) Empress Jitō (daughter) Emperor Tenmu (brother) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Saimei * Successor Emperor Kōbun Emperor Tenji Emperor Tenji (天智天皇) was the thirty-eighth Emperor of Japan, living from 626-672AD, and ruling[...]

Taika Reforms The Taika Reforms (大化の改新) were a set of governmental overhauls instigated by Emperor Kōtoku and created by Prince Naka with the help of Nakatomi no Kamatari. The Reforms set up new provincial administrative systems as well as instigating the organisation of a census and a land survey. Lots[...]

Reign: 645-654AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Kogyoku (sister) Prince Naka (nephew) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Empress Kogyoku * Successor Empress Saimei Emperor Kōtoku Emperor Kōtoku (孝徳天皇) was the 36th Emperor of Japan, reigning from 645-654AD.1 His name prior to ascension was Karu.2 Reign Kōtoku came to[...]

Reign: 642-645 (Kōgyoku) 655-661 (Saimei) Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Jomei (husband) Prince Naka (son) Emperor Kotoku (brother) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: 1st Reign Predecessor Emperor Jomei * Successor Emperor Kōtoku 2nd Reign Predecessor Emperor Kōtoku * Sucessor Emperor Tenji Empress Kōgyoku Empress Kōgyoku (皇極天皇) was the thirty-fifth[...]

Reign: 629-641AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Bidatsu (grand-father) Empress Kōgyoku (wife) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Empress Suiko * Successor Empress Kōgyoku Emperor Jomei Emperor Jomei (舒明天皇) was the thirty-fourth Emperor of Japan. He was the grandson of the Emperor Bidatsu1 and husband of Empress Kōgyoku.12 This[...]

Reign: 593-628AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Bidatsu (husband) Emperor Kinmei (father) Emperor Yōmei (brother) Soga no Umako (uncle) Shōtoku Taisha (nephew) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Sushun * Successor Emperor Jomei Empress Suiko Empress Suiko (推古天皇) was the thirty-third Emperor of Japan1, younger sister to Emperor[...]

Reign: 587-592AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Soga no Umako (uncle) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Yomei * Successor Emperor Suiko Emperor Sushun Emperor Sushun (崇峻天皇) was the thirty-second Emperor of Japan. He was placed on the throne by Soga no Umako after winning a skirmish against Mononobe[...]

Kana Nihongi The Kana Nihongi is a Japanese text said to have existed before the creation of the Nihongi, due to this is may have been used in the composition of the Nihongi.1 Footnotes 1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”.[...]

Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Nara Prefecture Co-ordinates: 34°36′51″N 135°44′03″ Founded: 607AD Affiliation: Buddhism Horyu-ji Horyu-ji (法隆寺) is a Buddhist Temple constructed under the orders of Shōtoku Taisha. The Yumedono (Pavillion of Dreams) here is reputed as the place where he had prophetic dreams.1 The original form of the document known[...]

Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Yōmei (father) Empress Suiko (aunt) Occupation: Prince, sesshō Shōtoku Taishi Shōtoku Taishi (聖徳太子) also known as Prince Umayado was the son of Emperor Yomei nephew of Empress Suiko. He is said to have been able to speak at birth and was an accomplished scholar, able[...]

Reign: 585-587AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Kinmei (father) Empress Suiko (sister) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Bidatsu * Successor Emperor Sushun Emperor Yōmei Emperor Yōmei (用明天皇) was the thirty-first Emperor of Japan. He is known to have been the son of Emperor Kinmei and father to[...]

Reign: 572-585AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Kinmei (father) Empress Suiko (wife) Emperor Yōmei (half-brother) Emperor Jomei (grand-son) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Kinmei * Successor Emperor Yōmei Emperor Bidatsu Emperor Bidatsu (敏達天皇) was the thirtieth Emperor of Japan. During his reign there were several court power[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Emperor Emperor Kudara Emperor Kudara is the name ascribed to an Emperor who gifted the image of the Buddha as well as Buddhist scriptures to the Emperor Kinmei which would eventually lead to the adoption of the religion in Japan.1 Footnotes 1. Martin, P. (1997) ”The[...]

Reign: 539-571AD Period: Asuka Period Family: Emperor Keitai (father) Emperor Senka (brother) Emperor Bidatsu (son) Emperor Yomei (son) Empress Suiko (daughter) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Senka * Successor Emperor Bidatsu Emperor Kinmei Emperor Kinmei (欽明天皇) is the twenty-ninth Emperor of Japan. His brother was the Emperor[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Prince Family: Empress Jito (Mother), Emperor Tenmu (father) Emperor Monmu (son) Princess Abe (wife) Born: 661AD Died: 689AD Prince Kusakabe Prince Kusakabe (草壁皇子) was the son of Empress Jitō and Emperor Tenmu, and father to the later Emperor Monmu. His wife was Princess Abe. He was[...]

Kojiki The Kojiki (古事記 – Records of Ancient Matters or An Account of Ancient Matters) is one of the earliest Japanese Chronicles we have from Japan. Creation and Authorship In AD682 the Emperor Tenmu commissioned his Princes and High Officials to prepare: a history of the Emperor’s and of matters[...]

First Ruler: Fujiwara no Kamatari Final Ruler: – Dissolution: – Parent House: Nakatomi Clan For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans. Fujiwara Clan The Fujiwara Clan (藤原氏) is a descendant of the Nakatomi Clan and came into existence after Nakatomi no Kamatari had his family name changed by[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Naidaijin Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (son) Fujiwara no Higami no Iratsume (daughter) Fujiwara no Ioe no Iratsume (daughter) Birth: 614 Death: 669 Nakatomi no Kamatari Nakatomi no Kamatari (中臣 鎌足) was a member of the Nakatomi Clan and later founder of the Fujiwara Clan. Kamatari lived[...]

Kujiki The Kujiki (旧事紀) also known as the Kuijiki (English: Chronicles of Old Matters of Former Ages) is one of the earliest literary chronicles still in existence from Japan compiled in AD620. The text was entrusted to the Soga Clan. However when the house fell in AD645 a large part[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: – Family: – Birth: – Death: – Mononobe no Moriya Mononobe no Moriya (物部 守屋) was head of the Mononobe Clan during the reign of Emperor Sushun. He, not wishing to have Sushun on the throne, and to promote a different candidate, ended up in a[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: – Family: Soga no Iname (father) Soga no Emishi (son) Emperor Sushun (nephew) Birth: – Death: – Soga no Umako Soga no Umako (蘇我 馬子) was a member of the Soga Clan noted to have been even more powerful than his father, Soga no Iname. During[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: – Family: Soga no Emishi (father) Birth: – Death: – Soga no Iruka Soga no Iruka (蘇我 入鹿) was a member of the Soga Clan and alongside his father Soga no Emishi the two of them were very much in control of the political court. They[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: – Family: Soga no Umako (father) Soga no Iruka (son) Birth: – Death:- Soga no Emishi Soga no Emishi (蘇我 蝦夷) was a powerful leader of the Soga Clan. Such was his political power he placed on the throne the Emperor Jomei making the Emperor a[...]

First Ruler: – Final Ruler: – Dissolution: – For a full list of Clans: See Clans. Kamo Clan The Kamo Clan (賀茂氏) is one of the various Clans of Japan. They are known to have taken charge of the Onmyōdō alongside the Abe Clan after it was created by Emperor Kōtoku.1[...]

First Ruler: – Final Ruler: – Dissolution: – For a full list of Clans: See Clans. Urabe Clan The Urabe Clan is one of the Clans of Japan. During the reign of Emperor Kōtoku in the 7th Century, this clan alongside the Imbe Clan and Nakatomi Clan were tasked with[...]

First ruler: – Final ruler: – Dissolution: – For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans. Imbe Clan The Imbe Clan (忌部氏, 斎部氏) were one of the many various clans of Japan. This clan claimed descent from the Shinto kami Ameno Futodama.3 The kami Hiwashi is said to be[...]

For a full list of Clans: See Clans. Emishi The Emishi (蝦夷 – Eastern Barbarians), also called at time the Ezo People1, were a Clan of people living on the periphery of the Yamato borders. Some scholars believe they could be the ancestors of the Ainu.2 Historically they are known[...]

First Ruler: – Final Ruler: – Dissolution: – For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans. Mononobe Clan The Mononobe Clan (物部氏) are known to have made up the Imperial Guard. This clan is said to be the descendant of Ōhesoki.1 Legendary Period 80 Mononobe are said to have[...]

First Ruler: Soga no Ishikawa Final Ruler: Soga no Emishi Dissolution: 645AD For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans. Soga Clan The Soga Clan (蘇我氏) was a very powerful clan in ancient Japan, orchestrating the placing of several rulers on the Imperial Throne. Legendary Founding The kojiki lists[...]

First Ruler: – Final Ruler: – Dissolution: – Cadet Branches: Fujiwara Clan For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans. Nakatomi Clan The Nakatomi Clan (The Intercessors1– 中臣氏) are known to have been the Hereditary Chief Custodians of Shinto and Rituals claiming descent from the Shinto kami Ameno Koyane.2 [...]

First Ruler: – Final Ruler: Dissolution: – For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans. Abe Clan The Abe Clan (安倍氏) is one of the various Clans of Japan. Families This particular clan finds itself in two different areas of Japan. (This could make it difficult in piecing together[...]